Tamara said one of the hardest thing about her condition is not being able to read to her daughter

“Lately, the swelling has got worse and there’s this crunching in the right side.

“It’s obvious to look at, that side of my face is inflamed.

“It’s been really hard. It’s frustrating this is the third time.”

Since the second operation is more complicated, Tamara will have to have her jaw wired shut for at least six weeks.

“I could end up with a deformed jaw, given my age and that this is my second, this is a risk.

“I won’t have a jaw. I’ll be eating out of a syringe, on a liquid diet.

A painful condition that causes bones and joints to deteriorate

Arthritis is a common condition that causes pain and inflammation in a joint.

The two most common types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis, is the most common type and according to the NHS and affects around eight million people in the UK.

In most cases, it develops in adults who are aged in their late 40s or older.

It is also more common in women and those who have a family history of the condition.

Though it can occur at any age as a result of an injury.

Osteoarthritis initially affects the smooth cartilage lining of the joint.

This makes movement more difficult than usual, leading to pain and stiffness.

Most commonly affected joints are:

Hands

Spine

Knees

Hips

The signs of arthritis can vary on the type you have but can include joint pain, tenderness and stiffness, inflammation, restricted movements of the joints, warm, red skin over the joints and weakness and muscle wasting.

There is no cure for arthritis but there are treatments which can help to slow the condition down.

For osteoarthritis there are painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids drugs which can be prescribed.

In severe cases a number of surgical procedures could be recommended such as joint replacement or joint fusion.

“There’s a risk my face could be paralysed, so I couldn’t blink or raise an eyebrow.

“It’s double the time off work, getting my daughter looked after.

“Trying to do it all on my own, trying to come up with the money is quite stressful.

“I see people my age going on holidays, buying houses, cars. All my savings, work, just goes on my jaw.

“My 20s have been all about medical appointments.”

Tamara also worries about how her seven-year-old daughter is coping.

“She understands but it’s hard on her when I go into hospital to have surgery,” she said.

“All the scars are so obvious she’s a bit emotional, and while I’m away.”

Tamara’s friend Kristyn Norton set up a GoFundMe page for her with a goal of $5000, to help her and her daughter through the surgery and recovery time.

This story originally appeared on news.com.au and has been republished with permission.

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